Elegua - Wikipedia

Orisha and deity of roads

EleguaÈṣù-Ẹlẹ́gbára
Crossroads, Paths and homes, Doorways, Ways, Life and Death
Member of Orisha
Other names	Eleggua, Elegba
Venerated in	Yoruba religion, Ifa-Orisha, Santería, Candomblé
Region	Yorubaland, North America, Latin America
Ethnic group	Yoruba people, African Diaspora

Elegua (Yoruba: Èṣù-Ẹlẹ́gbára and Ẹlẹ́gbá, Ẹlẹ́gbára in North America, in Cuba spelled Eleggua; also known as Eleguá in Latin America and Spanish-speaking Caribbean islands) is an Orisha, a deity of roads in the religions of traditional Ifa-Orisha, Santería, Winti, Umbanda, Quimbanda, and Candomblé.[1][2]

In Africa

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Elegua is known as Èṣù-Ẹlẹ́gbára and Ẹlẹ́gbá in the Yoruba religion and is closely associated with Eshu. Ẹlẹ́gbára means the "master of force" in the Yoruba language.[1][2]

Ifa-Orisa

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In North America, Elegbara (also spelled Elegba) is an Orisa (deity) originating from the Yoruba religion of West Africa, widely known as the master of the crossroads, a divine messenger, and a powerful, complex trickster figure.[3] The term translates to "the one who has strength or power".[1] Elegbara is the vital link between humans and the Orisas (deities) and the Supreme Being, Olodumare. All rituals and prayers must acknowledge and receive his permission first to ensure communication is received. He is the "owner of the roads" and doors in life, symbolizing destiny, opportunity, and the choices one makes. He can open or close the path to fortune and is associated with places where one's life can change rapidly, such as markets and physical crossroads. Often depicted as a mischievous and dual-natured deity, he embodies the duality of life, bringing both challenges and opportunities.[3] He acts as a "divine policeman," enforcing social and religious law and bringing consequences to those who live contrary to it. In North American and Caribbean traditions, where African practices were often merged with Christianity due to the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, Elegbara is syncretized with Catholic saints to preserve the ancestral worship. He is commonly identified with the Holy Child of Atocha, Saint Anthony of Padua, or the Archangel Michael. [3]

Santería

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Eleguá (also known as Legba) is recognized in the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Colombia, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Mexico as the orisha and "owner" of caminos—roads and paths. Eleguá is often depicted as a trickster figure, embodying both youth and mischief as well as age and wisdom, symbolizing the various paths and phases of fate and life. His colors are red, black, and white, and his associated numbers are 3 and 21. In Santería, all ceremonies and rituals must first receive Eleguá’s approval before proceeding, as he serves as the messenger of Olofi. Within the Cuban tradition of Regla de Ocha, Eleguá differs slightly from Echu, who is considered his brother but characterized as more dangerous and aggressive. Eleguá is known for moving silently, whereas Echu is described as forcefully "breaking through." Manifestations of Eleguá include Akefun, Aleshujade, Arabobo, Awanjonu, Lalafán, Obasín, Oparicocha, and Osokere.[2]

There is a patakí (story) in Santería in which Olodumare gives Eleguá the keys to the past, present, and future; for this reason, Eleguá is often depicted holding a set of keys. A figure of Eleguá may be placed in the house behind the entrance door. These figures are usually made with cement and cowrie shells, and sometimes sit within clay dishes.[2]

In Brazil

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In the Afro-Brazilian religion Elegbara is Exu.[2]

See also

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• Papa Legba

References

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1. ^ a b c Adeoye, C.L. (1989). Ìgbàgbọ́ àti ẹ̀sìn Yorùba (in Yoruba). Ibadan: Evans Bros. Nigeria Publishers. p. 123. ISBN 9781675098.
2. ^ a b c d e Lopes, Nei (2004). Enciclopédia brasileira da diáspora africana. São Paulo, SP: Selo Negro Edições. p. 252. ISBN 9788587478214.
3. ^ a b c Falola, Toyin (2013). Èṣù Yoruba God, Power, And The Imaginative Frontiers. Carolina Academic Press. pp. 16–54. ISBN 9781611632224.

External links

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• Santeria cubana :: Tratado de Eshu-Elegbara
• Santeria.fr :: All About Eleggua Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine
• Santeria.fr :: Todo Sobre Eleggua Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine
• Santeria.fr :: Tout sur les Eleggua
• Omo ilesikan :: Who is Elegba.htmArchived 2025-01-13 at the Wayback Machine

v t e Yoruba religion (Orisa-Ifá)
Spirits	Supreme Creator (God) Olodumare Ọlọrun Olofi Orishas/Irunmole Elegua Eṣu Ogun Ọṣọọsi Ọṣun Ori Ọrunmila Ọbatala Shango Aganju Agemo Yemọja Ọya Ọba Ọsanyin Babalu Aye Olokun Orisha Oko Erinlẹ Oshunmare Ibeji Yewa Sopona
Countries of development	Nigeria Cuba Brazil Trinidad
Topics	Medicine Music Itan Art Ogboni Gelede Ifá Iyami Aje Egungun Babalawo Iyalawo Calendar Letra del año
Sacred sites	Ile Ife Oyo Osun-Osogbo Yorubaland
Legendary figures	Oduduwa Ọranyan Moremi Ajasoro